Fun events, volunteer helpers to welcome students to campus

UAH is ready for students returning for fall semester with fun activities and helpful volunteers.

Michael Mercier | UAH

The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) will roll out the red carpet to welcome students with fun events and volunteer help on Move-In Day, Aug. 11 beginning at 9 a.m.

"We recommend arriving on Move-In Day, but we understand if your travel plans have you arriving later," says Madison "Maddie" Smith, resident director at Central Campus Residence Hall. "Students will be able to meet their new resident assistants (RAs) on move in day, as well as get a chance to hang out with their new roommates."

Volunteers wearing coordinated outfits will be on hand to help assist students with moving. "Our volunteers will help organize the whole moving in process," Smith says.

Move-In Day is part of UAH’s annual Week of Welcome (WOW), and fun events will begin at 10 a.m. and continue all day. Students will be able to explore what Huntsville has to offer with a Taste of Huntsville and Rocket Center Resource Fair on campus. Tents outside the residence hall will have information from Student Life and Family Programs.

"Week of Welcome is a campus-wide initiative that brings together student service offices, academic departments and student organizations to provide a supportive and engaging atmosphere for new Chargers to begin acclimating to UAH," says Nikki Goode, director of Student Life. "Our goal in coordinating the WOW calendar is to ensure that both new and returning students are provided opportunities, resources and events that contribute to their success on campus, both inside and out of the classroom."

Students can choose from over 100 WOW events that vary from entertainment to recreational programs, cultural experiences to creative arts and academic to social opportunities.

"The Week of Welcome is full of energy, excitement, education and lots of Charger pride!" says Goode. "Events have food, music, giveaways, fellowship, and most importantly, a way for students to make connections and learn something new about a student group, a resource or an academic department."

Breanna Abramson, resident director for Charger Village, asks students to please check their email in advance of Move-In Day.

"Students who will be living on campus will receive an email from their resident director for their building," says Abramson. "The email will include instructions as to where to park and how to get to the building."

Once arriving at their prospective residence hall, residents will receive keys and meet the RA for their building.

"Students should plan to dress comfortably and for any weather changes that may occur on Move-In Day," Abramson says. "Elevators are located in all of the residence halls, excluding Southeast residence hall."

Download a list of what to bring and what not to bring. No linens will be provided for students on move in day, except for the Bevill Center. If desired, linens may be purchased online at ocm.com/uah. The Residence Hall Association receives funds from these purchases to hold events for students living on campus.

Follow the social media for Housing and Residence Life and Student Life on Instagram and Twitter. Housing and Residence Life is at @uah_hrl and on Facebook at UAH Housing and Residence Life. Student Life is @uahstudentlife on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat, and UAH Student Life on Facebook.